Friday, December 14, 2012

Red-tailed Hawk (collection)

The hawk you see on the telephone pole during your trip to
Grandma’s house is most likely a Red-tailed Hawk. The chance of it being a
Red-tailed Hawk is even greater in winter when many more Red-tailed Hawks move down
from the far north to swell the population.It’s a good thing.

America didn’t always look like it looks today.Millions of telephone poles sprang up last
century and Red-tailed Hawks took advantage of them to increase their range and
numbers.

The utility poles are a fact, but this is my observation.Where are you most likely to see
hawks…utility poles?

Why? It works
for them.

Many man-made structures are tall and clear of trees and a
taller perch makes for better views, which makes for better hunting…makes
sense.

This Red-tailed Hawk had a desert full of ten-foot trees from which to choose. Instead he chose the 50-foot cell tower on a busy intersection
connecting two four-lane highways.Seems to be an odd choice for a perch, but that is where his view was
best…advantage hawk.

A Red-tailed Hawk will soar in circles over a large area in
search of food.

They eat mostly
mammals like this desert dwelling Harris’s Antelope Squirrel.Mice, voles and rabbits also make up a
sizeable portion of the Red-tailed Hawk’s diet, but contrary to the urban myth
about Red-tailed Hawks and according to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology:

“It’s very rare for a Red-tailed Hawk to go after dogs or cats.”

Adapt or die is the fate for species living in a changing
environment and there is little doubt we are in a changing environment.The Red-tailed Hawk may be ahead in the
game of change, as he seems to be doing quite well. His numbers are increasing
and there’s little concern for his long-term survival.

That’s a good thing, especially if you enjoy seeing Red-tailed Hawks on
your way to Grandma’s house.